Lasting-machine



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LASTINGMAHINB! Ne 507,550. Patented oet. 31, 1893.

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(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

N. LOMBARD. LASTING MACHINE.

No. 507,550.v Patented 00;. 231, 18193.

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NITED STATES PATENT Fries. .f

NATHANIILL- LOMBARD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

LASTlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 507,550, dated October 31, 1893.

Application iiled November 21, 1892. Serial No. 4'5 2.659. (No model.)

V To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL LOMBARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lasting-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to power lasting machines and consists in providing two sets of lasting fingers, an upper one and a lower one, which are adapt-ed to grip the edge of the leather upper or vamp automatically and hold it, while the act of lasting is being performed, these several lasting ngers being operated to act conjointly by means of fluid-impelled pistons or plungers.

The important feature `to be noticed in my invention is that the act of lasting is performed through the agency of fluid-impelled pistons acting upon the lasting fingers in such manner that no hand-operated jaws are employed.

Briefly described, my invention consists in providing two groups of lasting fingers which co-operate simultaneously in pairs, upper and lower. Further in the arrangement of the said lasting fingers, together with a series ofy duid-impelled pistons so disposed that the edge of the leather upper shall be seized at the will of the operator and then pulled or drawn over the last.

A further feature consists in subsequently providing for the release and removal of the top group of lasting fingers, the upper of the above being now held by the'lower lasting fingers against the last until the act of tacking is accomplished.

Another and important feature is contained in the mechanism provided by which to control the movements ofthe several fluid-operated plungersand thereby the lasting fingers; said mechanism consisting in pressure and vacuum chambers together with means, whereby the pistons are advanced or withdrawn as desired.

By the improvements which are embodied `chine embodying my invention.

The drawings represent in Figure l a sidey View in sectional elevation of a lastingy ma- Fig. 2 is a front View in sectional elevation on line 2. 2. in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of two of the upper groups of lasting ngers and carriage enlarged, and showing a modified construction. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4. 4. of that portion illustrated in Fig. 3.

In the present instance I have shown a casting or frame at 2 adapted to support a last 3' suitably mounted,while a shoe upper is shown at 4 in position for lasting purposes. Upon this standard and located laterally on either side of the last are two groups of vertically disposed lasting fingers 5, 6 these co-operate in pairs, the individual members of each pair being indicated by the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 as co-efcients while corresponding numerals act conjointly; hence 5 and 6', 52 with 62 and so on.

Since the kmechanism which I am about to describe servesfto control each pair of lasting fingers in exactly the same manner, and as the method of mounting, adjusting and operating each pair is the same respectively in cach group,l shall proceed to describe but one such pairof Itingersleaving it to be understood that in the act of lasting theseveral pairs, which together form the two groups of lasting fingers, thenv ac t conjointly along the sides of the boot or shoe in process.

Upon the upper part of the upright post of the standard is positioned a swinging arm 7 terminating in a head 8 furnished witha series of parallel holes or borings 9 which act as cylinders to receive vertical plungers or pistons 10, adapted to beoperated by tiuid supply under pressure through a; pipe l2 connecting with a chamber 13 common to all the cylinders. To the lower end of each plunger is attached a block 14 littedwith opposite end IOC lugs 15 adapted to receive adjusting screws 16 the functions of which will be hereinafter explained. Mounted in longitudinal guides or upon a rod or pin is a carriage 17, which is adapted to move transversely across the last. Where a pin is used as a guide both lugs are shown as integral with the block, but when guides are formed, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and It a removable plate is provided in order to enable the carriage to be slipped into its guides in the block. Furthermore secured to the carriage and pendent therefrom are two oppositely disposed swinging lasting fingers 6. 62, which terminate at their lower free ends in heads 1S, while horizontal arms 19 groovcd at 2O on the under side project laterally therefrom and at right angles `tothe longitudinal axis of the last. A short pin or bolt 2l pivotally attached to one of the fingers and having screw threadengagement with the other as shown in Fig. 2 together with a coiled spring 23 serves to prevent the fingers from diverging too widely when inactively positioned and caused by the tension of the spring, while they are still free to approach each other. Since the shape and position of these upper lasting iingers causes them to hang slightly from the vertical, it will be understood that a downward or advance movement of a plunger 10 serves to press or force said fingers outwardly against any opposing instrumentality.

ln connection with the above described lasting fingers is the adjustment for the carriage 17 on which the said fingers are mounted, whereby such fingers can be positioned for either a right or left boot or shoe. For purposes of explanation I will assume in Fig. 2 that the toe of the last is facing the operator; this will bring the outside of a right shoe on the right, conversely the outside of a left shoe on the left. Consequently to effect the necessary adjustment the respective screws 16 are moved to conform to the contour of the last and when a right shoe is to be lasted the operator passes his hand along, thereby wiping the several carriages and slides them over until each one brings up against its adjusting screw, with the result to bring every carriage in readiness to last a right boot or shoe. By converse action an opposite effect isproduced,`and the lingers are placed suitably to last a left. shoe or boot.

To co-operate with the upper lasting fingers 6" 62 I have arranged the lower lasting fingers 5 52 respectively. These consist of two verticallypositioned bars having curved ends,

`whi`ch`bend in transversely over the last and terminate in rounded extremities 24E, adapted to cooperate automatically with the heads 18 in order togrip the shoe upper. Upon reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the upper portion of the extremities 24 of `each lasting finger is "wedge shaped, and adapted to engagein the V grooves or guides 2O in the arm 19 on the upperlasting fingers. This positive engagement serves to align vertically the equalize their movements, since two, one on each side of the last, are operated by the same plunger, I have attached the lower ends of the fingers to a horizontal fulcrum rod 25, the latterbeing adapted to rock on a fulcrum block 26 spring-mounted in a fixed part of the frame 2, which here consists in a lateral web or plate 27. To the under side of said plate is bolted the lower plunger-head 28 of a construction similar to the upper one 8. The plungers in this lower head are shown at 29. To operate the lowergroup of lasting fingers, a rocking arm 30 is attached to the lower extremity of each plunger, while bands 31 fastened to the free ends of said arm extend upward about anti-friction rollers 32 and connect with the lasting fingers preferably in their upper portion. Thus as the fluid, admitted into the chamber 34, which is common to the cylinders, forces said plungers downwardly the bands draw the lasting fingers both downwardly and inwardly, this downward action being compensated for by the spring-mounted fulcrum block 26. To operate and control the said lasting fingers at pleasure and to advance or retract either group simultaneously and automatically I have found thefollowing method inexpensive, practical, and efficient. Two liquid-tight vessels 40, 41, are provided respectively for pressure and vacuum service; each is furnished with gages as indicators of their condition, while a pumping apparatus 42 interconnects the two pipes 43, 45. Oil, preferably cmployed as a liquid, is first poured into the vacuum reservoir, when reci procations of the pump force the oil into the tank 40, where it is retained Linder pressure by aid of the check-valve 46, while the transfer of such liquid causes a vacuum to be formed in the IIO vessel from which the liquid is taken and maintained by a check valve 50. A pipe 48 leading from the pressure reservoir interconnects with each plunger head 8, 2S by means of branch pipes't), 12, whilethreeway valves 5l. 52 control communication between said pipes and the pressure reservoir, as likewise between said heads and the Vacuum vessel by means of the pipe 53. Hence by aid of levers, shown as 56, 57, or other instrumentalities by which said valves may be shifted quickly, the position, pressure and action of the plungers can readily `be controlled. That is both groups can be advanced, or one may be withdrawn, while the other group remains active, or both may be withdrawn, so it is evident that each group is independent of the other, crean be caused to act simultaneously therewith, as circumstances require.

The mode of operation and the functions of the various elements above described when assembled as a power lasting machine are as lfollows: Liquid, preferably oil, is poured intoI Aready advanced, by allowing the chambered heads to communicate with the vacuum Vessel. This is effected by turning4 the propel; valve into such a position, as toV shut off thesupply pipe and interconnect either pipe 49, 12 with thevacuum vessel, when the plun-' f gers are retracted an amount equal to the displacement occasioned by the oil permitted to return to the vacuum vessel 41. Assuming' that the valves are no w positioned; to closel communication with both vessels 4Q, 4l, the last 3 with its inner sole 54 and leather upper is then put in place. The position of the lasting fingers is as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. ALiquid under pressure is now atl-z` mitted through the pipes 49, 12 into the plunger-heads 8, 28 by opening the valves 51, 52, with the result to advancetheir plungers and actuate the lasting fin gers, the lower grou p ad` Vancing inwardly` and slightly downwardly until it meets the upper group which now rests upon the in-sole, the individual fingers 6', 62, 63 acting with an outward thrust to oppose the co-operating lasting fingers 5', 52, 53, acting with'an inward thrust; as a consequence the edge of the leather upper is grasped and held between the heads 18, 24. At this moment the lower fingers 5 52 are now subjected to the full liquid pressure, the valve 51 being open. In order to advance the lower fingers inwardly, while the act of lasting is being performed, the valve 52 is slightly opened to the vacuum with the result that the upper, ngers are allowed to yield as theirplungers retract, the

pressure between the fingers, upper and lower pairs, remaining constant, since the lower ngers advance inwardly only as fast as the upper ones approach each other. In this way the upper of the shoe is stretched and drawn tightly over the last. At the time this act is completed the lower fingers 5 52 58 bear upon the last and hold the leather firmly against said last. In order to finish the act of lasting and tack the upper in place, the valve 52 is turned to close pipe 48 and open the pipe 12 which now connects with the pipe 53, and is so held until the upper group 6 6? 63 is released and withdrawn sufficiently to permit the entire group of fingers, plungers, and plunger-head to be swung to one side. After tacking has taken place, the valve 51 is turned to allow the liuid in part in the plunger head 28 to return to the vessel 41. When such steps are completed the pump 42 may be operated to return the oil now in vessel 41 to the tank 40 and thus restore the vacuum in one and the pressure in the other. However I have found by experiment that the pump 42 does3 not require to be operated except at long intervals. Prior to the activity of the lasting fingers the several carriages 17 are pushed over to the right or left according to vthe boot or shoe to be lasted, while the fingers 5 6'; 52 62; adjust themselves to conform to the top and side contour of the last at their respective points of contact. Any degreeof gripb'etween the lingers canbe secured, while A the pull upon the leather in the process of lasting may likewise be varied at the will of the operator.

This machine is very rapid in its work, since the leather upper is seized simultaneously at all points along its edgeby the two groups of lasting fingers, which act automatically. In thisway I avoid the use of manually operated j aw-members, as hitherto employed. The toe and heel portions of the upper may be lasted by mechanism of any approved form, but such I have emitted, as having no, bearing upon my presentimprovements. Y.

I am not awarev that a lasting machine has ever been constructed in which the edge of the leather upper has been grasped bygtwo groups of lastingfingers, upper` and lower, operated automatically by fluid pressure. Hence I do not desire to be limited to the precise construction of theseveral instrumentalities provided by which such effect is obtained, as the various elements may be modified somewhat in form and still be within myinvention. ,A

The dotted arrows in Fig. 2 .indicate the IOO direction in the flow of the liquid whenever vlasting fingers, adapted to act automatically in pairs, an upper finger with a lower nger, and conjointly grip, the edge of the leather upper, together with duid-impelled plungers for actuating said fingers, lsubstantially as and for the purposes herein described.

2.l A power lasting machine having a fixed last, and composed of two series of fluid-impelled plungers, two groups of lasting fingers, interconnecting mechanism between said plungers and their fingers, together with means wherebysaid plungers are reciprocated to cause the groups of lasting fingers to act conjointly in pairs, one upper finger and one lower finger, and thereby grasp the edge of the leather upper, substantially as specified.

3. In a power lasting machine, two chambered heads, a series of reciprocating plan-. gers therein, and mechanism by which fluid leather, substantially as set forth and stated.

4. In `a lasting machine, the combination with a chambered head, a series of fluid-impelled plungers, and an adjustable carriage attached to each plunger, of a pair of lasting lingers composing a groupand pivoted Vupon said carriage, said lasting fingers adapted to cooperate with a pair of lasting fingers composing a second group, all operating, substantially as and for purposes specified.

5. In a lasting machine,a lpair of Alasting ngers composing a group, a spring-mounted fulcrum bar, and a fluid-impelled plunger, with connections from said plunger toactuate thelastiug fingers, combined `with a pair `of lasting fingers constitutingasecond group,a carriage adjustable transversely of the last andadapt'ed to support said fingers, and a tluid-impelled plunger, the two plungers serv ing to automatically control the two groups of lasting iingers which act coujoiutly, substantially asexpiained.

6. `In a lasting machine, the combination with two chambered heads, aseries of reciprocating plungers therein, and two groups of lasting fingers operating conjointly in pairs, to grip theupper automatically of the closed vessels respectively for pressure and vacuum service mechanism'for uniting the plungers with the lasting fingers, connections from said vessels to each chambered head, and means by which said chambered heads are subj ected to pressure or vacuum iuliuence of said vessels, `substantially as herein stated and described.

7. In combination with the frame ofa lasting machine, a spring fulcrum'block,lan oscil- 4o lating fulcrum bar thereupon, lastingtingers pivotally securedatleachend of said bar, and a chambered head, a series of fiuid-'impelled plungers therein, flexible connections, which 4unite eachplunger with a pairofflasting iinstantially as andfor purposes stated.

9. Ina lasting machine the combination `with a tiuidimpelled plunger suitably mounted, and a carriage aixed thereto, of apair of lasting fingers supported by said carriage, a

grooved arm laterallyof eachiiuger, and an Vadjusting screw, which counectsthe `twotn gers, substantiallyias explained.

10. The combination with two'series of fluid impelled plungersfand two groups of lasting ingers connected with and operated thereby, `of a series `of arms, one laterally from each member of one group of fingers and adapted to engage with and guide the extremities `ol `the other and cooperating group of lasting tingers,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

NATHANIEL LOMBARD. Witnesses:

H. E. LODGE, FRANCIS C. STANWooD. 

